This sounds like a weird question, but I’m noticing in a lot of stories, the MC’s parents are dead. I’m not saying this never happens BUT, I think I only know one person in real life who’s had a parent pass away. Any thoughts?
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Sometimes, it’s a good thing, because it serves as a part of character’s development (like in Speak, when everything basically revolves around Liz’s parents being killed by her ex). Sometimes though it’s one of Mary Sue traits, especially when MC is being raised by some abusive person now.
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People think that it gives the MC flaws, and gives opportunity for a love interest to “save them”. It is also often easier for writers as they don’t need to explore a relationship between the MC and their parents. I do not necessarily agree with the reasons for this, but it seems to be the case.
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You basically just called me out hahaha.
Anyways my mc did a lot of bad things before but when her parents died she turned over a new leaf because her old actions was the reason they died.
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Because it saves having to code them. 
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My mc’s mother died giving birth to her, but it’s because it fits the ending of my story when my mc ends up having the same fate to her own child. I think most of the time it’s to fit the plot and story line, otherwise it’s usually because the author only wants to focus on the mc, and doesn’t want to code the parents as said above. 
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I agree with this one too!
Yeah, I’ve noticed that, too. I’m pretty sure it’s to make readers sympathize for the MC, or to give the MC a reason to be alone/have trust issues or something like that. Or it’s because it’s actually important to the story.
It gets annoying n my opinion when it’s done for the sole purpose of having a sad backstory. If it isn’t super duper important, I think the parents should just be there. They don’t need to have important roles, but they don’t need to literally be dead.
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Straight facts lol
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Yeah, other than myself, I haven’t met anyone my age with any parents who have passed away. It can really be a call to the MC and can be great for character development and learning to love yourself. A lot of the time, it plays into the story - perhaps murder.
If it’s done just for the sake of pity, I don’t agree at all. I’ve noticed that a lot of the time, it’s unnecessary and written poorly - there are, of course, exceptions.
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THIS.
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OOP THIS IS SO MY MC LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
chile idk it wasnt intentional it just fit with the backstory yk and the mystery of figuring out her mums death bc without that id literally have no storyline
I feel that authors use this trope to build their MC. Although it can be a bit repetitive, when written well and appropriately, it makes the story a lot more interesting. 
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I’m just wondering why are there so many mothers who died giving birth?
It’s not something that happens that often especially in the present days…
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May I just request that you change the title of this thread please? It’s rather insensitive and harsh, and I for one, don’t like seeing that every time I scroll down the community page.
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Maybe something like: Common MC Backstory: No Parents
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Yeah I for one came here, bc of the title, my parents are still alive, sis…
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Yep something like that works.
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I’ve changed it. Thanks for the heads up, didn’t mean to upset anyone. My apologies.
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No problem, thanks for changing it 
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